Democracy, Nationalism, and Communalism: The Colonial Legacy in South Asia

Democracy, Nationalism, and Communalism: The Colonial Legacy in South Asia

Title: Democracy, Nationalism, and Communalism: The Colonial Legacy in South Asia

Author: Asma Barlas

ISBN: 9780813387505

Page: 170

Format: Hardcover

Democracy Nationalism and Communalism The Colonial Legacy in South Asia Although India and Pakistan were part of a single state until liberation from British colonial rule in the former has since emerged as the world s largest democracy whereas the latter has been

Although India and Pakistan were part of a single state until liberation from British colonial rule in 1947, the former has since emerged as the world s largest democracy, whereas the latter has been under military control for most of its history In this thought provoking volume, Asma Barlas explores the complex and delicate issue of democracy in India and Pakistan AnaAlthough India and Pakistan were part of a single state until liberation from British colonial rule in 1947, the former has since emerged as the world s largest democracy, whereas the latter has been under military control for most of its history In this thought provoking volume, Asma Barlas explores the complex and delicate issue of democracy in India and Pakistan Analyzing the political trajectories of each country, Barlas provides the reader with both comparative and historical perspectives She then sets out to establish a relationship between the specific forms of both the Indian and Pakistani states and the political histories, forms of consciousness, and modes of organization of the dominant and subaltern classes during the colonial period, drawing upon Gramscian theory Within this context, Barlas s analysis helps to clarify why democracy in South Asia continues to be so precarious, why nationalism still takes a communal form, and why the two postcolonial states, inspite of differences between them, continue to be top heavy, elitist, and authoritarian.

One Reply to “Democracy, Nationalism, and Communalism: The Colonial Legacy in South Asia”